Weight plate set

ABSTRACT

A weightlifting plate set consisting of three or more generally disc-shaped weight plates of different diameter and weight, all having a different number of generally the same size finger hole openings. The finger hole openings are further defined as being large enough for at least one finger and preferably four fingers to pass partially through the opening to grasp the plate. A three plate set preferably has five openings in a 45 lb. plate, four openings in a 35 lb. plate and three openings in the 25 lb. plate. The finger hole openings are large to allow for ease of use and improved safety and also allow for identification of the weight of the plate from a distance.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The present application claims priority from U.S. Provisional Application Ser. No. 60/771,594, filed Feb. 8, 2007.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

This invention relates to fitness equipment and more particularly an improved weight lifting plate set utilizing a different number of handles in each plate, depending on the weight of the plate, for comfort, safety, and identification.

2. Description of Related Art

Because of the high cost of weightlifting machines with built-in weight stacks, many of the manufacturers of fitness equipment are selling a new type of weightlifting machine called a plate load machine. These plate load machines are generally less expensive than the traditional circuit machines because they do not come with an integral weight stack. The traditional weight stack has been replaced by pegs to which the weight lifter adds weight plates of varying weights in a similar manner to a traditional weight lifter adding weight plates to a barbell. Once the desired amount of weight has been added to the plate load machine, the bodybuilder is able to use the machine to perform his bodybuilding routine.

Because in most fitness clubs there is generally a grouping of plate load machines that share the same weight plates, the weights are strewn across the room and the bodybuilder must hunt and gather the weights necessary for his weight lifting session. Since most 25 lb., 35 lb., and 45 lb. plates are close in size, it is difficult to tell from across the room, what weight the plates are without getting close enough to read the weight amount written on the plates.

It is well known in fitness clubs that handle weight plates are safer than weight plates without handles because weight plates without handles have a tendency to slip out of hands. It is also well known in the fitness industry that, the heavier the weights, the more handles are needed for safety. This is one reason why, in recent years, the trend in weight plate manufacturing has been to increase the number of handles in weight plates. In following this trend, weight plate manufacturers have begun manufacturing weight plate sets in which every weight plate includes five, six, or seven handles, regardless of the size of the plate. By this practice, the finger openings are shrunk proportionally as the weight amount decreases. This makes all the weights in a weight lifting plate set look alike but, while the fingers of the average weightlifter fit comfortably into the opening of a 45 lb. plate with five handles, the fingers are generally squeezed, and the knuckles of the weightlifter are scraped, when transporting the 25 lb. plate with five handles.

Conventional weight plates used with barbells are usually disc-shaped and have a generally central throughbore for mounting the weight onto a barbell or plate load machine. Weight plates are also typically made in different pound increments of 2-½, 5, 10, 25, 35, and 45 pounds for use in the United States or their kilogram equivalents for use in Europe and the rest of the world. Weight plates generally increase in diameter and thickness as the size of the weight plate increases. Most of the weight plates used in fitness clubs today can be coated with rubber or urethane to prevent the plates from damaging the equipment and facility when bumped or dropped.

U.S. Pat. No. 2,244,351 to Venables discloses a barbell weight with a thick edge that can make the weights easier to transport.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,137,502 to Anastasi et al. discloses a barbell weight plate having a pair of diametrically opposed, elongated oval openings disposed parallel to one another and equidistant from the central circular opening.

U.S. Pat. No. 5,853,355 to Standish shows a weight plate with a thick rim that has at least one recess in the rim for insertion of a finger to aid in separating the weights.

U.S. Pat. Nos. 6,319,176 and 6,702,723 to Landfair show a weight plate with two rotating handles for lifting and transporting weights.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,736,765 to Wallace shows a weight plate with a smaller grip to make the plate easier for women to lift and transport.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,746,380 to Lien shows a weight plate with opposite facing flanges for interlocking the weights.

U.S. Pat. No. 6,991,590 to Vigiano shows a weight plate with an ergonomic gripping surface for easier transporting.

U.S. Des. No. 354,322 to Vodhanel shows a four handle design weight plate.

U.S. Des. 421,076 and U.S. Des. 424,140 to Lincir show three, five and seven handle designs.

Although many improvements have been made to weight plates over the past couple of decades there are still significant drawbacks to the aforementioned weight plates. Some handle-weights used with barbells, floor exercising, and on plate loaded machines are difficult to grasp and uncomfortable to lift or transport because the finger openings are undersized for the user or oddly shaped and pinch the users fingers when they are transported or hoisted up off the floor. A perfect example of this is U.S. Des. 424,140 to Lincir. A circle is an elegant design but when used as a handle for transporting a 45 lb. weight plate across the room, it tends to pinch the user's fingers. There are a few design patents like, U.S. Des. 445,154 to Lincir, with two to six finger openings; however, these weight plate sets are manufactured and marketed with the same number of openings on their 45 lb., 35 lb., and 25 lb. weights rather than having a different number of openings on plates with different weights.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In view of the foregoing disadvantages inherent in the known types of weight plates now present in the prior art, the present invention provides an improved weight plate and overcomes the above-mentioned disadvantages and drawbacks of the prior art. As such, the general purpose of the present invention, which will be described subsequently in greater detail, is to provide a new and improved weight plate that has all the advantages of the prior art mentioned heretofore and many novel features that result in a weight plate that is not anticipated, rendered obvious, suggested or even implied by the prior art, either alone or in any combination thereof.

The present invention essentially comprises a set of weight lifting plates which include openings used as handles. Each weight lifting plate is a disc-shaped plate body having a transverse central mounting hole therethrough and an outer peripheral surface. Each plate weighs between about 2.5 and 100 lbs. and preferably each weight has a different weight. The weights are formed from metal, plastic or a composite, or other suitable material, and are preferably made from iron or steel. The plates are preferably coated with urethane, rubber or powder paint. The openings are integrally formed within the plate body for receiving the hand or finger of a user. Each opening is formed between the central mounting hole and the outer peripheral surface and each plate having a different weight has a different number of openings. The openings preferably have the same cross-sectional shape and are formed in the plate at the same radial distance from the center throughbore. Each opening is also preferably spaced angularly at the same distance from each adjacent opening. In the preferred embodiment, the number of openings corresponds to the weight of the plate and increases accordingly. A particularly preferred embodiment includes three weight plates of 25, 35 and 45 lbs. The 25 lb. weight includes three openings, the 35 lb weight includes four openings and the 45 lb weight includes five openings.

There have thus been outlined, rather broadly, the more important features of the invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood and in order that the present contribution to the art may be better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of the invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject matter of the claims attached.

As such, those skilled in this art will appreciate that the conception upon which this disclosure is based may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures, methods and systems for carrying out the several purposes of the present invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims be regarded as including such equivalent constructions insofar as they do not depart from the spirit and scope of the present invention.

The weight lifting plate set described herein overcomes the disadvantages of the prior art by increasing the number of handles on each weight plate in a set as the weight is increased. This invention improves safety and comfort to the weightlifter.

It is therefore an object of the present invention to provide an improved weight plate set used for physical fitness.

It is another object of the invention to provide a weight that can be easily mounted on a barbell or plate load machine and held by a single human hand.

It is yet another object of the invention to provide a weight plate set that can be easily identified from across the room by individuals because of the number of handles.

It is a further object of the invention to provide a weight plate set that can be used more safely with less personal injury.

These and other objects and advantages of the present invention are achieved by providing a weight having a gripping means for holding the weight. The weight may be disc-shaped and include a throughbore in the center for mounting the weight onto a barbell or dumbbell.

These, together with other objects of the invention, along with the various features of novelty that characterize the invention, are pointed out with particularity in the claims annexed to and forming a part of this disclosure. For a better understanding of the invention, its operating advantages and the specific objects attained by its uses, reference should be had to the accompanying drawings and descriptive matter in which there is illustrated current embodiments of the invention.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The objects and features of the present invention, which are believed to be novel, are set forth with particularity in the appended claims. The present invention, both as to its organization and manner of operation, together with further objects and advantages, may best be understood by reference to the following description, taken in connection with the accompanying drawings. The invention will be better understood and objects other than those set forth will become apparent when consideration is given to the following detailed description thereof. Such description makes reference to the annexed drawings wherein:

FIG. 1 is a front view of a preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a rear view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 3 is a detailed front view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention; and

FIG. 4 is a perspective view of the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

The same reference numerals refer to the same parts throughout the various figures:

Element list

-   -   10 weight plate set     -   11 25 lb. weight     -   12 35 lb. weight     -   13 45 lb. weight     -   14 central throughbore or center hole     -   15 outer periphery or plate edge     -   16 handle     -   17 inner edge of finger cutout     -   18 outer edge of finger cutout     -   19 finger cutout or finger hole     -   20 front surface of plate 13     -   21 front surface of plate 12     -   22 front surface of plate 11     -   23 rear surface of plate 11     -   24 rear surface of plate 12     -   25 rear surface of plate 13

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

The following detailed description is of the best presently contemplated mode of carrying out the invention. This description is not to be taken in a limiting sense, but is made merely for the purpose of illustrating general principles of embodiments of the invention. The following description is provided to enable any person skilled in the art to make and use my invention and sets forth the best modes contemplated. Various modifications, however, will remain readily apparent to those skilled in these arts, since the generic principles of the present invention have been defined herein.

Referring now to the drawings, a current embodiment of the weight plate set of the present invention is shown and generally designated by the reference numeral 10. In FIG. 1, a new and improved weight plate set 10 of the present invention is illustrated and will be described. More particularly, FIG. 1 shows a front view of a weight plate set 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIG. 2 shows a reverse view of a weight plate set 10 according to the preferred embodiment of the invention. FIGS. 3 and 4 show a weight plate set 10 constructed according to the preferred embodiment of the present invention, consisting of three different size and weight plates 11, 12, and 13 further defined as all having a generally central throughbore 14 and an outer periphery 15 that can take many shapes including polygon but in the preferred embodiment has a generally rounded periphery 15.

Referring first to FIG. 1, the weight plate set of the present invention is generally identified by the reference numeral 10. The weight plates 11, 12, 13 comprising the set may be cast iron or steel, rubber coated and/or polyurethane coated. Other materials such as composites or sand-filled plastic containers are also contemplated. Each weight plate 11, 12, 13 includes a substantially flat body having a front surface 22, 21, 20, respectively and a rear surface 23, 24, 25, respectively, which define the thickness of each weight plate. A centrally located throughbore 14 defines the rotational axis of each plate 11, 12, 13 and is adapted to receive a mounting member, such as a barbell or weight bar. It is understood that the diameter of the throughbore 14 may vary to accommodate the diameter of a barbell or dumbbell bar to be received through the throughbore 14. The diameter of the throughbore 14 will generally vary between 1 to 2 inches to accommodate most standard barbell bars.

In the preferred embodiment of the invention shown in FIGS. 1-4, each weight plate body 11, 12, 13 includes openings 19 formed in the weight plate 10. Each opening 19 is disposed between the peripheral edge 15 and the center throughbore of the weight plate body 11, 12, 13. Each opening 19 in a single weight plate is located at the same radial distance from the center throughbore 14 as each other opening 19 on that plate. Additionally, the openings are formed about the plate symmetrically and each opening 19 is the same angular distance from each adjacent opening 19. For example, if there are three openings 19 in a plate, the center point of each opening 19 is 120° from each other opening 19.

Each opening 19 is sized to accommodate one or more fingers of a human hand extending through the opening 19, across the outer edge 18 of the opening 19 and wrapped around the peripheral edge 15 of the weight plate body 11, 12, 13. For example, the opening 19 in the weight plate 11 shown in FIG. 1 is sized to receive at least four fingers of a human hand extending therethrough. Each opening 19 provides sufficient clearance so that the knuckles of the fingers do not hit or scrape against the inner surface 17 of the opening 19. Sharp edges are preferably eliminated by rounding the edges of each opening 19.

In the preferred embodiment weight plate 11 is a 25 lb. plate with three handles 16, weight plate 12 is a 35 lb. plate with four handles 16 and weight plate 13 is a 45 lb. plate with five handles 16. By this invention, the finger cutout 19 on all three plates is preferably made large enough to allow the hand of the weightlifter to comfortably grasp the handle 16 without scraping his knuckles on the inner edge 17 of the finger cutout 19. In a particularly preferred embodiment, the openings 19 are the same size on each plate and are separated by the same distance, allowing the same grip to be used whether a 25 lb. plate or a 45 lb. plate is handled.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles of the invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes will readily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not designed to limit the invention to the exact construction and operation shown and described and, accordingly, all suitable modifications and equivalents may be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention. Many improvements, modifications, and additions will be apparent to the skilled artisan without departing from the spirit and scope of the present invention as described herein and defined in the following claims. 

1. A set of weight lifting plates, comprising: a plurality of weight lifting plates wherein each of the plurality of plates comprises: a disc-shaped plate body having a transverse central mounting hole therethrough, the plate body having an outer peripheral surface; and a plurality of openings integrally formed within the plate body for receiving the hand or finger of a user wherein each opening is formed between the central mounting hole and the outer peripheral surface; and wherein the number of openings formed in each of the plurality of weight lifting plates differs from the number of openings each other of the plurality of weight lifting plates.
 2. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of weight lifting plates has a weight in a range between about 2.5 and 100 lbs.
 3. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of weight lifting plates has a weight which differs from each other of the plurality of weight lifting plates.
 4. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of weight lifting plates is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic and composite.
 5. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of weight lifting plates is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of iron and steel.
 6. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of weight lifting plates is coated with a material selected from the group consisting of urethane, rubber and powder paint.
 7. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of openings formed in each disc-shaped plate body is of the same cross-sectional shape.
 8. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of openings formed in each disc-shaped plate body is formed at the same radial distance from the central mounting hole.
 9. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 1, wherein each of the plurality of openings formed in each disc-shaped plate body is angularly spaced from each adjacent opening by the same measurement.
 10. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 3, wherein the number of openings formed in each disc-shaped plate body increases with the weight of each weight lifting plate.
 11. A set of weight lifting plates, comprising: a set of three weight lifting plates, a first plate, a second plate and a third plate, wherein each of the plates comprises: a disc-shaped plate body having a transverse central mounting hole therethrough, the plate body having an outer peripheral surface; and a plurality of openings integrally formed within the plate body for receiving the hand or finger of a user wherein each opening is formed between the central mounting hole and the outer peripheral surface; and wherein the number of openings formed in each of the plurality of weight lifting plates differs from the number of openings each other of the plurality of weight lifting plates.
 12. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 11, wherein the first plate has a weight of 25 lbs., the second plate has a weight of 35 lbs and the third plate has a weight of 45 lbs.
 13. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 11, wherein each of the three weight lifting plates is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of metal, plastic and composite.
 14. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 11, wherein each of the three weight lifting plates is formed from a material selected from the group consisting of iron and steel.
 15. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 11, wherein each of the three weight lifting plates is coated with a material selected from the group consisting of urethane, rubber and powder paint.
 16. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of openings formed in each disc-shaped plate body is of the same cross-sectional shape.
 17. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of openings formed in each disc-shaped plate body is formed at the same radial distance from the central mounting hole.
 18. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 11, wherein each of the plurality of openings formed in each disc-shaped plate body is angularly spaced from each adjacent opening by the same measurement.
 19. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 12, wherein the first disc-shaped plate body is formed with three openings, the second disc-shaped plate body is formed with four openings and the third disc-shaped plate body is formed with five openings.
 20. The weight lifting plate set as defined in claim 19, wherein the three openings formed in the first disc-shaped plate body are spaced at the same radial distance from the central mounting hole and angularly spaced from each adjacent opening by the same amount, the four openings formed in the second disc-shaped plate body are spaced at the same radial distance from the central mounting hole and angularly spaced from each adjacent opening by the same amount, and the five openings formed in the third disc-shaped plate body are spaced at the same radial distance from the central mounting hole and angularly spaced from each adjacent opening by the same amount. 